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Kennedy Drinking Again: Book

Family fighting over Lion's legacy

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted May 5, 2009 2:53 PM CDT

(Newser) – Ted Kennedy’s grim health prognosis has driven him to drink, according to Ted Kennedy: The Dream That Never Died, a new book from longtime Kennedy scribe Edward Klein. In an excerpt in Vanity Fair, Klein says Kennedy’s wife moved him to Florida after the seizure because his Hyannis friends were slipping him booze. Unnamed sources also say he was drinking the night before he collapsed on Inauguration Day.

Kennedy’s declining health also set off dynastic infighting. The family assumed wife Vicki, niece Caroline or nephew Joe would take up Ted’s Senate mantle. Joe “sees himself as the only serious heir apparent,” a source says, and everyone considers Vicki “an interloper.” Ted favored Caroline, and convinced her to pursue the New York opening. She withdrew from that race when her children intervened.

Former US Rep. Joe Kennedy arrives with his wife Beth at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, May 18, 2008, where his uncle Ted Kennedy was hospitalized. (AP Photo)

Caroline Kennedy attends the "Armani 5th Avenue" store opening party Feb. 17, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo)

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., listens as President Barack Obama speaks on health reform at the White House, March 5, 2009. (AP Photo)

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Seniors Binge Drink the Most

Half of all alcohol consumed in America drunk in binges

1 in 6 Americans Is a Binge Drinker

Nation's heaviest boozers are in Wisconsin, study finds

Binge Boozers Cost Society $2 a Drink

New CDC research tallies up impact of excessive drinking

Medvedev: To Combat Alcoholism, Let's Drink Wine

'Alcohol abuse stem from other drinks,' he says

Arizona Prof's Research: Getting Students Drunk

They're paid $60 for night at the 'bar'

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Kennedy Drinking Again: Book

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

alcohol • Ted Kennedy • Joe Kennedy • alcohol abuse • Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg • political dynasty • Victoria Reggie Kennedy

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Seniors Binge Drink the Most

Half of all alcohol consumed in America drunk in binges

1 in 6 Americans Is a Binge Drinker

Nation's heaviest boozers are in Wisconsin, study finds

Binge Boozers Cost Society $2 a Drink

New CDC research tallies up impact of excessive drinking

Medvedev: To Combat Alcoholism, Let's Drink Wine

'Alcohol abuse stem from other drinks,' he says

Arizona Prof's Research: Getting Students Drunk

They're paid $60 for night at the 'bar'

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?